Overview

• On July 7, his cardiologist listed heart failure as the official cause of death, citing underlying heart disease and years of heavy alcohol use.
• The signed death certificate replaced an autopsy under California protocol and led the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department to close its investigation without suspecting foul play.
• Specialists are highlighting how chronic heavy drinking weakens the heart muscle, leading to alcohol-related cardiomyopathy and eventual failure.
• Madsen’s family and colleagues have shared tributes to his four-decade career and ongoing creative projects, including independent films and a poetry collection.
• The public confirmation of contributing health factors has reignited conversations about the long-term cardiovascular risks of alcoholism.